Celebrating Black History Month with a Spotlight on Notable Engineers

Feb. 27, 2024

A look at some of the incredible accomplishments achieved by African American engineers and scientists who helped shape industries and inspired generations.

Cabe Atwell

Related To: Electronic Design

Mark Dean, electrical engineer

Mark Dean is a computer scientist and electrical engineer whose remarkable talent allowed him to design the first gigahertz processor. He holds three PC patents for being the co-creator of the IBM personal computer released in 1981, eventually becoming the first African American fellow at IBM, a position granted for the highest level of technical excellence at the company.

Dean's innovations include the development of the ISA bus, which allowed for the connection of peripheral devices to computers. His legacy continues to inspire new generations of engineers, serving as a testament to his enduring impact on the world of computing.

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What you’ll learn:

Presenting some of the brilliant African American engineers and scientists.
Their wide range of accomplishments.

As Black History Month comes to a close, we should take the time to reflect on the remarkable contributions of African American engineers throughout history. From trailblazers who defied societal barriers to pioneers who paved the way for future generations, African American engineers have left an indelible mark on the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Their accomplishments embody resilience, determination, and excellence, serving as an inspiration to all.

In this roundup, we explore the lives and accomplishments of notable African American engineers, highlighting their groundbreaking work, enduring legacies, and the profound impact they have had on shaping the world we live in today. Let’s look at some of the achievements of these extraordinary individuals and honor their invaluable contributions to the field of engineering.

About the Author

Cabe Atwell | Technology Editor, Electronic Design

Cabe is a Technology Editor for Electronic Design.

Engineer, Machinist, Maker, Writer. A graduate Electrical Engineer actively plying his expertise in the industry and at his company, Gunhead. When not designing/building, he creates a steady torrent of projects and content in the media world. Many of his projects and articles are online at element14 & SolidSmack, industry-focused work at EETimes & EDN, and offbeat articles at Make Magazine. Currently, you can find him hosting webinars and contributing to Electronic Design and Machine Design.

Cabe is an electrical engineer, design consultant and author with 25 years’ experience. His most recent book is “Essential 555 IC: Design, Configure, and Create Clever Circuits”

Cabe writes the Engineering on Friday blog on Electronic Design.